Pope Francis opens the door to civil unions, a first for head of Catholic Church

Pope Francis is still in opposition to gay marriage, but on Wednesday he opened the door to the Catholic Church’s acceptance of some forms of civil union.

After stressing that marriage is between a man and a woman, the pope said in an interview with an Italian newspaper that “we have to look at different cases and evaluate them in their variety,” CNN reported.

The Catholic News Service said the pope’s statement was “the first time a Pope has indicated even tentative acceptance of civil unions.”

In January, the pope made waves within the Church by saying of gays: “We shouldn’t marginalize people for this. They must be integrated into society. … If someone is gay and he searches for the Lord and has good will, who am I to judge?” the Associated Press reported.

On Wednesday, the pope also celebrated the first day of Lent at Rome’s Basilica of Santa Sabina